My ancestor was James W. Riley, Private, was courier, guide and scout to General Robert E. Lee. He enlisted October 11, 1862 in Company A, 39th Battalion of the VA Cavalry under the command of Augustus P. Pifer. He was paroled on May 2, 1865. The original Colt pistol, holster and saddle bags were handed to my father, Lewis M. Boley, Jr.
According to a death notice in "The Manassas Journal", of March 3, 1911, it stated "And though he had no desire to shed blood and never took a human life in all those days of awful carnage, yet when a courier was needed for any mission of special hazard or responsibility, J.W. Riley was the trusted man and he never failed to fulfill the trust. One of his companions of those days has said "He never voluntarily went into danger but when under orders, no danger or difficulty was any terror or bar to him." This doubtless expressed the whole tenor of his life -- modest and unassuming, yet with firm convictions and unbending courage, he led the quiet life of a true man."